The unique beauty of the old houses in Dai Dinh village.

Huy Thu • August 10, 2025 08:17

With its rich cultural traditions and long history, alongside famous historical relics, Dai Dinh village in Dai Dong commune also preserves many unique old houses.

Visiting Dai Dinh village, an ancient village located on the Lam River, now part of Van Long hamlet, Dai Dong commune (formerly Thanh Chuong district), after admiring unique architectural and artistic relics such as the Nguyen Viet and Nguyen Nhu churches, tourists can explore and learn about the old houses. Photo: Huy Thu

Despite numerous ups and downs and transformations, in Dai Dinh village, the people still preserve ancient houses with moss-covered tiled roofs alongside modern multi-story houses and villas. The house of Mr. Nguyen Viet Ngan's family, built in 1884, is now 141 years old and is considered the most well-preserved ancient house. Photo: Huy Thu

In front of this house, the eaves are carved and sculpted on both sides with unique, graceful floral and dragon motifs, especially the two eaves in the central section. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_4(1).jpg — The old houses in Dai Dinh village are built in the traditional four-pillar style, with three bays and two gables, or five bays and two gables. The house frames are mainly made of ironwood, but also include jackfruit wood, mahogany, etc. Photo: Huy Thu

The central section of these houses often features two hidden columns, or two short columns resting on a lower level, to create a spacious and airy feel. The rectangular bases of these hidden columns are elaborately decorated. The structural elements on the roof trusses, such as the supporting columns, bell stands, and gables, are intricately carved with vibrant lotus flower motifs, showcasing the skillful craftsmanship of ancient carpenters. (Photo: Huy Thư)

Mr. Hoang Pham Hoa (70 years old), the owner of an old house in the village, shared: The house his family lives in was bought from a family on the other side of the Lam River during the resistance war. This house was originally a five-bay, long wooden house made of ironwood. At that time, two families bought it together, so each family dismantled half of the house to live in. Photo: Huy Thu

The original traditional houses in Dai Dinh village have yin-yang tiled roofs. The gables are designed with two layers of decorative patterns, upper and lower, to protect against rain and sun. Between the two layers of roofing, there are latticed windows to allow sunlight into the house. Photo: Huy Thu

On the roof ridges of old houses, at both gable ends and the four corners, stylized floral motifs are meticulously sculpted in relief with mortar by skilled craftsmen of the past. Photo: Huy Thu

Alongside the old houses are artifacts and objects that have been stained by time, such as water tanks built from clam and oyster shells, ritual objects, etc. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Nguyen Viet Ngan (58 years old), the owner of the famous ancient house in the village, said: The house his family lives in was bought by his grandfather from Vinh An village, Thanh Tuong commune (formerly). During the war years, the ancient house was a residence for soldiers. Having existed for nearly 1.5 centuries, although it has been renovated to some extent, the house still retains its original architecture, serving as a testament and preserving many memories for generations of his family. Photo: Huy Thu

Many old houses in the village have been renovated, with pillars raised, floors tiled, and walls rebuilt... to suit the living conditions of each family. The old houses in Dai Dinh village are being preserved and protected by the local people with a sense of self-awareness and respect for the heritage of their ancestors. Photo: Huy Thu

The uniquely carved wooden structures adorn the old house of Mr. Nguyen Viet Ngan's family. Video: Huy Thu

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The unique beauty of the old houses in Dai Dinh village.

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